Some of the roadside kiosks at Malim in Penha da Franca. Captured by : Anil Shankhwalker
PORVORIM
Acting on instructions of the High Court, the Penha de Franca panchayat has issued notices to 79 unauthorised kiosks owners at Malim and surrounding areas in Porvorim, directing them to remove their kiosks by April 15.
Most of 79 unauthorised kiosks in question are located at Malim. The PWD at Mapusa had made efforts in 2013 to widen the road near the Malim Fish Jetty in a bid to decongest the area.
The PWD had written a letter on July 11, 2013 to the Penha de Franca panchayat stating that traffic congestion near Malim Jetty hampers the smooth flow of traffic. Due to insufficient width of the road, traffic gets blocked and residents and pedestrians face hardships.
The Penha de Franca Panchayat had issued notices to the kiosks owners in 2013 but the panchayat did not enforce their efforts to remove these kiosks, due to which these kiosks continue to remain at Malim.
Similarly, several kiosks have sprung up near the DIET centre and along the B B Borkar road with the blessings of panchayat members.
According to sources, one panchayat member has set up 3 kiosks by the side of B B Borkar road, but the panchayat has not taken any action to remove those kiosks despite objections from public.
Traffic on the B B Borkar road has risen sharply in recent months due to work on the Porvorim elevated corridor and kiosks by the side of B B Borkar road create hindrance for the smooth movement of vehicular traffic.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, a social activist said the Penha da Franca panchayat will be forced to take action against unauthorised kiosks because of the High Court directions.
“It is sad that every time the high court has to step in to solve these problems. It is hoped that this time, wiser counsel will prevail on panchayat members and they will remove all unauthorised kiosks in Penha de Franca village,” said the activist.
